THERE IS nothing quite like a traditional, English church fair held under sunny skies, with home-made cakes, jam, assorted stalls and games, plus that unique community friendship guaranteed to make everyone happy.
Visitors and stall holders alike agreed that St Vincent’s Anglican Church did all this and more at their event held on June 11, on the main lawn under huge palm trees and around the courtyards of the Eiras Velhas estate in Almadena. Altogether, just under 400 people attended the event, with 23 different traders and stall holders taking part.
Fundraising co-ordinator Les Johnson and his wife Christine, together with an enthusiastic team of helpers from the Luz/Lagos area, did a brilliant job in making it all happen. Nostalgic music was provided on the keyboard by Nick Downs, while Oz Shade Sails provided welcome shade in the food courtyard adjoining the PlantScape garden centre.
The Eiras Velhas resident art group, formed by Rosamunde Gale and under the tutelage of Brendan West, put on an exhibition showing the wide range of subjects and media used in their twice weekly sessions.* For those wanting a perfect lawn, John Cowan chose the event to launch his range of artificial grass. Elsewhere were gifts from India, books old and new, patio furniture, plants, ladies’ fashion and, of course, traditional white elephant stalls.
St Vincent’s locum Assistant Chaplain, Father Haynes Hubbard, his wife Susan and children Gabriel and Sebastian, put their full energy into the day. Although occupying only a brief tenure, Father Haynes, whose parish is in Ontario near Niagara Falls, inspired his Luz congregation and was clearly a hit among visitors to the fair. He has now left for pastures new and we wish him and his family well.
St Vincent’s Christmas Fair will be held for the second time at Eiras Velhas on November 26, and those interested in taking part should contact Les Johnson on 918 966 015.
• For more information on art classes, whether beginners or experienced artists, contact Brendan West on 282 788 516 or Rosamunde Gale on 282 697462.
